Coronavirus update for business: Amazon keeps customers waiting, Llamas are the new Zoom-bombers, Lonely Planet on the rocks?

The customer is always first at Amazon, unless there are too many. Getting tired of Zoom conference calls? Have you tried adding llama? And will a fast tracked tech hub in Sydney become Australia’s Silicon Valley?

Amazon keeps customers waiting

Amazon loves calling itself the world’s most customer-centric company, but those plans have taken somewhat of a back seat as the COVID-19 pandemic rips through the United States.

With more than 500,000 coronavirus cases recorded in the states, customers are flocking to Amazon’s e-commerce channels to purchase groceries and other essentials.

Demand has soared so high that Amazon has been forced to restrict the number of shoppers ordering grocery delivery through its platforms, including Whole Foods.

Existing grocery customers are being prioritised, while new customers will be chucked on a wait list as the world’s largest e-commerce company fights to keep up with demand.

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Amazon is hiring more workers at breakneck pace, leading to a 60% increase in capacity in recent weeks, the company has said.

Spice up your meetings with some llama shenanigans

The absolute geniuses over at Sweet Farm Llama sanctuary in the United States have come up with an unique way to recoup their coronavirus related losses.

They’ve started selling llama cameos for Zoom and other conference call meetings.

We cannot stress this enough: bloody genius.

There’s more than just llamas on offer too, with prices ranging from US$65 to US$250, appearances by pigs, goats and turkeys are also available.

Basically the sanctuary just dials in these legends to your conference call — the rest is pretty self explanatory.